Exposure to asbestos can cause a range of lung diseases

Under the new regulations anyone responsible for business premises must check for asbestos - and take the appropriate action if it is found.

But it is estimated that around 500,000 buildings in Britain still contain the poisonous material.

Asbestos is considered the biggest occupational health risk by workers ever faced in Britain.

It was widely used for building and renovation between 1950 and 1980.

New rules

Although asbestos is no longer used as a building material, there is a massive legacy of the material remaining in public buildings, including schools, libraries, offices and factories across the UK.

As electricians and other workers modernise buildings, they run the risk of unwittingly drilling or sawing into asbestos panels.

BBC business correspondent Nils Blythe said the new regulations coming into force apply to businesses of any size.

But a survey of 500 organisations has found that over a third have not heard of the new rules.

More than half have yet to organise an asbestos assessment.

Our correspondent said those businesses failing to comply could face hefty fines.

The new Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations are designed to force those in charge of commercial and public buildings to have them properly surveyed, risk assessed and a proper asbestos management plan drawn up and available.

It is estimated these new laws will save over 5,000 lives over the next 50 years.